Everyone has ideas about things they see or hear. These ideas are called opinions. We use opinions to say what we think or feel. People share their opinions all the time—at school, at home, or with friends. Because talking about opinions is so common, many special sayings have been created over time. These sayings are called idioms.
Idioms about opinions help us say things in a more colorful or fun way. Instead of saying, “I don’t agree,” someone might say, “We don’t see eye to eye.” These phrases make speaking more interesting. In this article, we will learn some idioms that are used when people talk about what they believe or think.
Idioms About Opinions
1. Speak your mind
Meaning: To say exactly what you think.
Example Sentence:
– She always speaks her mind, even if others don’t agree.
– I like friends who speak their minds and tell the truth.
Other ways to say: Say what you think, be honest
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom dates back to the 1600s, where “mind” meant thoughts or feelings.
Usage: When someone is not afraid to share their opinion.
2. Give a piece of your mind
Meaning: To tell someone your opinion strongly, especially when upset.
Example Sentence:
– Mom gave me a piece of her mind for not doing homework.
– He gave his brother a piece of his mind after the prank.
Other ways to say: Scold, speak firmly
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase shows that you’re sharing your strong thoughts, like giving a piece of your brain.
Usage: Used when someone is upset and wants to say how they feel.
3. Have a mind of your own
Meaning: To think for yourself.
Example Sentence:
– She has a mind of her own and doesn’t follow the crowd.
– Even as a kid, he had a mind of his own.
Other ways to say: Think for yourself, be independent
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase shows a person’s thoughts are different from others.
Usage: When someone doesn’t just copy others.
4. In my opinion
Meaning: What I believe or think.
Example Sentence:
– In my opinion, pizza is the best food.
– In my opinion, that was a great movie.
Other ways to say: I think, I believe
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when sharing thoughts nicely.
Usage: Before giving a personal idea or belief.
5. On the same page
Meaning: To agree or understand something the same way.
Example Sentence:
– Let’s make sure we’re on the same page before we begin.
– The teacher made sure the group was on the same page.
Other ways to say: Agree, understand together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from people reading the same page in a book.
Usage: When people agree on what to do.
6. Split hairs
Meaning: To argue about tiny details.
Example Sentence:
– Stop splitting hairs and just answer the question.
– They were splitting hairs over whose turn it was.
Other ways to say: Argue over small things, be picky
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to trying to divide a hair, which is very small.
Usage: When someone makes a big deal out of something small.
7. Put in your two cents
Meaning: To give your opinion.
Example Sentence:
– I just want to put in my two cents about the game.
– She put in her two cents even when no one asked.
Other ways to say: Share your thoughts, give input
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from when people added their small opinion to a talk, like giving two pennies.
Usage: When someone shares their opinion in a talk.
8. Jump to conclusions
Meaning: To decide something too quickly.
Example Sentence:
– Don’t jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts.
– He jumped to conclusions and blamed the wrong person.
Other ways to say: Assume too soon, guess too fast
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like jumping over steps and landing on a wrong idea.
Usage: When someone guesses before they know the truth.
9. A difference of opinion
Meaning: Two people don’t agree.
Example Sentence:
– We had a difference of opinion about the movie.
– There’s a difference of opinion on where to eat.
Other ways to say: Disagree, think differently
Fun Fact/Origin: This polite phrase is used when people don’t want to argue.
Usage: When people think differently but don’t fight.
10. Sit on the fence
Meaning: Not choosing a side.
Example Sentence:
– He sat on the fence during the class debate.
– I don’t like to sit on the fence, I choose a side.
Other ways to say: Stay neutral, not pick
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from people sitting on a fence, not in one yard or the other.
Usage: When someone won’t choose a side in an argument.
11. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree completely.
Example Sentence:
– My best friend and I see eye to eye on most things.
– They don’t always see eye to eye about homework.
Other ways to say: Agree, think alike
Fun Fact/Origin: If people are at the same height, their eyes meet easily—like their opinions.
Usage: Used when people have the same thoughts or beliefs.
12. Keep an open mind
Meaning: To be willing to hear new ideas.
Example Sentence:
– Try to keep an open mind during the discussion.
– She kept an open mind and listened to others.
Other ways to say: Be willing to listen, stay open
Fun Fact/Origin: An open door or open mind means new things can come in.
Usage: When someone is listening without judging.
13. Out of your mind
Meaning: To have a wild or silly opinion.
Example Sentence:
– You’re out of your mind if you think that movie was boring!
– He must be out of his mind to wear shorts in the snow.
Other ways to say: Being silly, not thinking clearly
Fun Fact/Origin: People say this when someone’s idea sounds crazy.
Usage: Used in a fun way to say someone’s opinion is strange.
14. Change your mind
Meaning: To have a new opinion.
Example Sentence:
– I changed my mind and want a burger now.
– He changed his mind after hearing both sides.
Other ways to say: Decide differently, switch your idea
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows how people can think one thing and then think another.
Usage: When someone picks a new choice or opinion.
15. Bear in mind
Meaning: To remember something when thinking about it.
Example Sentence:
– Bear in mind that the store closes early today.
– Please bear in mind that some people are allergic.
Other ways to say: Keep in mind, don’t forget
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bear” here means to carry or hold.
Usage: Used when you want someone to think about something before deciding.
16. Make up your mind
Meaning: To decide after thinking.
Example Sentence:
– Make up your mind before the teacher asks!
– I can’t make up my mind about what to wear.
Other ways to say: Decide, choose
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase means to gather your thoughts and pick something.
Usage: When someone is trying to decide.
17. Stick to your guns
Meaning: To keep your opinion, even if others disagree.
Example Sentence:
– She stuck to her guns and didn’t change her answer.
– I’m sticking to my guns—chocolate is better than vanilla.
Other ways to say: Stay firm, don’t change your mind
Fun Fact/Origin: This came from soldiers who kept their place in battle.
Usage: When someone doesn’t give up their belief.
18. To each their own
Meaning: Everyone has different opinions.
Example Sentence:
– I don’t like pineapple on pizza, but to each their own.
– He likes cold weather? Well, to each their own.
Other ways to say: Everyone’s different, it’s okay to disagree
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows respect for different ideas.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t agree but lets it go.
19. Go with your gut
Meaning: To trust your feelings.
Example Sentence:
– I went with my gut and picked the first answer.
– She didn’t know why, but her gut said no.
Other ways to say: Trust your feeling, follow your instinct
Fun Fact/Origin: People feel emotions in their stomach sometimes, like butterflies.
Usage: When someone makes a choice without overthinking.
20. Devil’s advocate
Meaning: Someone who gives a different opinion to test the idea.
Example Sentence:
– I’ll play devil’s advocate—what if it doesn’t work?
– She was the devil’s advocate in the debate.
Other ways to say: Ask the tough question, challenge ideas
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase came from old church debates to test ideas.
Usage: Used when someone is asking tough questions on purpose.
21. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: To believe someone, even if you’re unsure.
Example Sentence:
– I didn’t see what happened, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.
– Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt—maybe he forgot.
Other ways to say: Trust them, assume the best
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom means thinking kindly when you don’t know the full story.
Usage: When someone is believed without proof.
22. Not see eye to eye
Meaning: To disagree.
Example Sentence:
– They didn’t see eye to eye on how to finish the project.
– My sister and I don’t see eye to eye on music.
Other ways to say: Disagree, have different views
Fun Fact/Origin: Opposite of “see eye to eye.”
Usage: When people don’t think the same way.
23. Take something with a grain of salt
Meaning: Don’t believe it completely.
Example Sentence:
– Take what he says with a grain of salt—he likes to joke.
– I take her stories with a grain of salt.
Other ways to say: Don’t take it too seriously
Fun Fact/Origin: Salt was once used to protect against harm or lies.
Usage: Used when someone might be exaggerating.
24. Opinionated
Meaning: A person who shares their opinions a lot.
Example Sentence:
– He’s very opinionated about food.
– She’s an opinionated student who likes to debate.
Other ways to say: Strong-minded, outspoken
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from “opinion,” which means your own idea.
Usage: Describes someone who always shares their view.
25. Think outside the box
Meaning: To have a new or creative idea.
Example Sentence:
– Let’s think outside the box to solve the puzzle.
– She thought outside the box and built a birdhouse from cans.
Other ways to say: Be creative, have new ideas
Fun Fact/Origin: The “box” is a normal way of thinking; going outside it means being creative.
Usage: Used when someone has a fresh or different opinion.
Quiz: Idioms About Opinions
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “speak your mind” mean?
A) Say what others want to hear
B) Say what you think
C) Stay quiet
2. If someone says, “We see eye to eye,” what do they mean?
A) We are looking at the same thing
B) We are the same height
C) We agree with each other
3. What does “sit on the fence” mean?
A) To watch a game from far away
B) To not choose a side in an argument
C) To fix a fence
4. When someone says, “I changed my mind,” what are they saying?
A) They forgot something
B) They decided something new
C) They are confused
5. What does it mean to “jump to conclusions”?
A) To decide without enough facts
B) To think carefully
C) To ask lots of questions
6. If you “stick to your guns,” what does that show?
A) You are giving up
B) You are unsure
C) You keep your opinion even if others don’t agree
7. What does “put in your two cents” mean?
A) Give someone money
B) Say what you think
C) Ask a question
8. If someone says, “Bear in mind,” what are they asking you to do?
A) Forget it
B) Remember it
C) Argue with it
9. What does “think outside the box” mean?
A) Use a box in a new way
B) Be creative and try a new idea
C) Stay inside the rules
10. What does it mean to “keep an open mind”?
A) Be sleepy
B) Be willing to hear new ideas
C) Always agree with others
Answer Key
- B) Say what you think
- C) We agree with each other
- B) To not choose a side in an argument
- B) They decided something new
- A) To decide without enough facts
- C) You keep your opinion even if others don’t agree
- B) Say what you think
- B) Remember it
- B) Be creative and try a new idea
- B) Be willing to hear new ideas
Wrapping Up
Idioms about opinions help us share what we think in fun and smart ways. These sayings can make talking easier and more interesting. They also show that everyone can think differently—and that’s okay.
Learning these idioms gives you new ways to speak and understand others better. Keep listening for them and try using them in your own conversations.
